Natter

Rolling my tongue and resting my thumbs

I am slowly learning to embrace light conversation with strangers. Exchanging “good mornings” when passing each other by on the pavement. Slowing down and actually interacting with my community. Appreciating the world beyond the edges of my screen. A lost art form I have been detached from after my hiatus in the big smoke. 

As someone with an inseparable relationship with my headphones, getting these experiences into practice was more challenging than one might expect. I am trying nevertheless. 

Reconnecting with that little dimpled girl who grew up on the Isle of Wight and chattered to anyone given half a chance. I would sincerely inquire as to how people sustained injuries and offer road-crossing support; I would ask people about their dogs as they walked them on the beach, relishing in how they doted on their fluffy companion. I would even stand patiently listening to the nattering ladies at church as they peered over their mugs of tea and discussed matters that seemed foreign to me. 

Today, I was complimented on my hair colour as I sat down in the library. Headphones wrapped in my fingers and ready to be placed upon my crown. I thanked the kind stranger and hesitated. Instead of hastily adorning my headphones as I so often would, I admitted that I had actually been eyeing their brilliant blue dungarees from across the shelves. 

I never asked his name, but he was fantastic. That small invitation of conversation was all he needed. He leapt into a monologue. Telling me about the absurdity of the train fare from Kingston, how he collected train and bus timetables. I sat there and listened, smiling and nodding all the while.

“I’m sorry if I talk too much, I have Aspergers,” he said.

“My brothers have autism-“ I started, before he joyfully cut me off again and began complimenting my laptop.

I enjoyed our small exchange so much that as I opened my laptop to resume work, I instead began writing this. 

If you have made it this far, I hope this serves as your reminder to chat with someone today. You just might learn something, brighten someone’s day, or maybe even discover a brand that creates the most brilliant blue dungarees.